1862 - Adam Opel enters business in his hometown, Rüsselsheim, building his first sewing machine and setting up Opel.
1863 - The company expands: Adam Opel has his first employee, and in two years he takes his first student. With an appearance in the Groß-Gerauer Kreisblatt local newspaper, Opel is beginning to promote its product.
1868 - The sewing business is successful, and Adam Opel moves back to the first factory, an indistrial hall with living space. In the same year he marries Sophie Scheller, the daughter of a German industrialist.
1869 - Introduces the power of steam to facilitate the construction of sewing machines.
1872 - Adam Opel establishes a plant insurance plan.
1886 - By entering the bicycle business, Opel provides a second base of the company. Adam's sons were good cyclists, winning hundreds of Opel-built bikes. In less than 40 years, Opel has become one of the world's largest bicycle manufacturers.
1896 - Adam Opel dies at age 58, and his wife Sophie assumes responsibility for continuing the business with the help of sons.
1899 - The name of the first Opel car, Opel Patent Motor Car, System Lutzmann appears. This marked the start of production in Rüsselsheim, and the foundation for the construction of the first useful cars was built.
1900 - Makes its international debut
1901 - Heinrich von Opel wins the climbing contest near Heidelberg in a Opel Lutzmann. A contract with French manufacturer Alexandre Darracq is signed, authorizing Opel to produce cars under the Darracq license. Opel is building the first motorcycle.
1902 - The first Opel body is adapted to a Darracq chassis in Rüsselsheim. The cars that were built are sold under the Opel Darracq brand. Towards the end of the same year, the first Opel built-in model with a new 2-cylinder engine, developing 10/12 hp, appears.
1903 - Opel develops a new 4-cylinder engine with a power of 20/24 hp.
1905 - Opel Darracq showroom and service is inaugurated next to Tiergarten Park in Berlin
1906 - The 1000th car leaves the factory. Opel is building a new factory in Berlin.
1907 - Opel is awarded the Kaiser's Prize for the best German car.
1909 - Opel introduces a compact, 8-horsepower, 2-seat, built for those who place great emphasis on stability. It becomes known as DoktorWagen (doctors car)
1910 - A new production system is being implemented, the prefabricated bodywork can be combined with several chassis and engine models. Opel holds a 12.3% market share in Germany's car sales.
1911 - With a 6/16 hp engine, Opel adopts a new "torpedo" body model. A fire destroys much of the factory.
1912 - Opel celebrates its 50th anniversary. There are 10,000 produced cars.
1913 - 4L and 4.5L engines are created, 4 cylinders, each with 4 valves, for the new season of competitions.
1914 - A record-breaking car is built, based on engine technology that led to more racing in 1913. Opel becomes Germany's largest car manufacturing company. A great success model of 5/14 hp goes into production, being pulled by Puppchen, Papusica.
1914-1918 - During the First World War Opel produces only military cars.
1916 - Opel introduces the first engine in 6-cylinder 4.7-liter, 18/50 hp model.
1919 - The Opel Racing Route, located in the south of Rüsselsheim, is inaugurated. It's the first race and test circuit in Germany.
1920 - The first board of directors is set up at Opel.
1921 - Opel builds a 8-cylinder engine used by Fritz von Opel to win the grand prize on the Berlin AVUS route and took part in the Eifel race.
1924 - With a huge investment, Opel is modernizing its automotive production. The headquarters in Rüsselsheim is the first in Germany to introduce serial production, including the assembly process. The first car produced with the new technology was the legendary 4/12 hp model, known as the Laubfrosch (Tree Frog), with reference to the green body color, and the protruding headlights.
1926 - Due to new methods and high demand, the price of the 4/12 CP (Tree Frog) drops from 4,500 to 2980 brands, reaching up to 1990 marks. This makes the car easier for the poorer audience. The Rüsselsheim team reaches a total of 75 wins in different races.
1928 - With a market share of 37.5%, Opel is by far the largest automaker in the world. There is an alliance with General Motors, Opel is listed on the stock market. A new model, Regent Limousine, with 8-cylinder engine, 24/110 hp appears. The technology of motorcycle construction reaches a maximum by introducing the Motoclub. One is starting
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1929 - General Motors acquires 80% of Adam Opel's shares, with only $ 26 million, becoming the majority shareholder. Opel is the first German manufacturer to set up an insurance company. Another premiere is Opel Bank, which finances car purchases. In the same year Fritz von Opel flies for the first time with the rocket, with a RAK 1.
1930 - The Opel Blitz is launched.
1931 - At the headquarters in Rüsselsheim, the first "car of the people" is built, a car that everyone can afford, equipped with a 1.2L engine.
1931-1935 - 100,000 units are built - a volume of production that has not been touched by any model in Germany. General Motors also buys the remaining 20% of Opel shares. Opel becomes the first carmaker to set up a service training system.
1935 - Opel presents the Olympia, the first mass-produced car with a steel body. Its advantages are: reduced weight, higher passive safety and low aerodynamic coefficient. At the same time, a new manufacturing process is being developed and installed by the Rüsselsheim builders, the so-called "wedding" that combines the pre-fabricated bodywork with the chassis and mechanical assemblies. With this new technology, the annual production capacity of up to 25,000 Blitz models has been increased. Opel became the first company to manufacture more than 100,000 vehicles in a year.
1936 - A new model appears, the first Kadett. In the same year, the stylish and powerful Opel Super 6 is launched. The company is the largest in Europe in terms of production and export of cars, reaching an annual production of 120,239 units.
1937 - Opel celebrates its 75th anniversary, and the company focuses more on car production after building 2.6 million bicycles. A new car, powered by a 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine, Opel Admiral, is presented. Start production of refrigerators and freezers in Rüsselsheim.
1938 - A new generation of Olympia is on the market. The first Opel Kapitan is presented to the public.
1939 - The fourth consecutive year in which Opel is Europe's largest carmaker, with a workforce of 25,374 employees.
1940 - It's produced a 1,000,000 vehicle, a Kapitan model. Trucks are integrated on trucks and military equipment such as landing trains and aircraft tanks are produced.
1944 - Headquarters in Rüsselsheim are destroyed at a rate of 50% and Brandenburg is completely destroyed.
1945 - The entire production facility is disassembled and sent to the Soviet Union as war damages.
1946 - Restarts production of refrigerators and freezers. The first post-war machine appears, a 1.5-ton Blitz truck.
1947 - Restarting the production of cars, with the Olympia recurrence.
1948 - At the headquarters in Rüsselsheim, the production of the Kapitan model, which enjoys a spectacular comeback, is resumed.
1950 - The reconstruction of the Rüsselsheim headquarters is completed.
1951 - The production of the third generation of Opel Olympia in Rüsselsheim begins
1953 - There is a new model, Olympia Rekord, the first with a well-defined body, with a shark-shaped grille. It was presented at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Again, annual output exceeds 100,000 units. In the same year, a new Opel Kapitan with a reshaped bodywork and a new technology emerged.
1956 - The 2,000,000 car goes out of production, a Opel Kapitan.
1957 - The IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt presents the Opel Olympia Rekord P1. About 850,000 units have been sold over 3 years.
1958 - A new generation of Kapitan is introduced. With reference to the distinctive forms of the hindquarters, it becomes known as the Keyhole Kapitan (keyhole).
1959 - End of production of refrigerators and freezers. Opel introduces a Kapitan 2.6L engine, which soon became the most successful luxury model ever built in Rüsselsheim.
1960 - Opel Rekord P2 appears. Approximately 755,000 units were built in total.
1961 - A Sport Coupe is launched.
1962 - Opel celebrates the 100th anniversary. A new booth in Bochum is inaugurated for the production of the new Opel Kadett.
1963 - Opel Rekord A is presented.
1964 - Opel presents 3 new luxury models: Kapitan, Admiral and Diplomat. These prestigious models have 6 and 8-cylinder engines. All 3 are well received and are immediately successful on the market.
1965 - A new Kadett replaces his predecessor, becoming until 1973, the most successful model ever since, with a 2.6 million unit sale. The fastest coupe appears: Diplomat V8.
1966 - Bochum headquarters celebrates the production of the Kadett B 1,000,000 series. Opel opens a new headquarters in Dudenhofen, Germany, Hesse, and a car parts factory in Kaiserslautern. Rekord C and legendary Rallye Kadett are introduced to the market.
1967 - Opel launches Commondore A and a new model of Kadett, B LS.
1968 - Opel GT appears with a promotion slogan "Flight is more enjoyable".
1969 - Opel introduces the second generation of the Kapitan, Admiral and Diplomat models.
1970 - Ascona A and Manta A sports class models are launched. The Commander GS / E with injection engine is in production.
1971 - Outputs the 10,000,000 model at the Rüsselsheim headquarters. Production Rekord D.
1972 - With a market share of 20.4%, Opel is the largest automaker in Germany. The Commodore B model is introduced. A modified version of the Opel GT with diesel engine appears, establishing two world and 28 international records.
1973 - Kadett C launched. 1.7 million units were produced. Seat belts are standard in all Opel models.
1974 - Walter Röhrl and his co-driver Ochen Berger win the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time with Opel Ascona A.
1975 - Ascona B and Manta B enter production
1977 - Record E succeeded the Rekord D.
1978 - Two major stars enter the automotive market: the Senator four-door luxury model and the Monza sports coupe. They had a new engine built of 3 L, 6 cylinders, producing 180 hp.
1979 - Production of the new Kadett D, with front wheel drive, in Bochum.
1981 - Opel becomes the first carmaker to use water-based ecological paints. Opel Ascona C and the Manta B400 performance are on the market.
1982 - A new headquarter is set up in Saragossa, Spain, for the production of the Corsa, which has quickly advanced to become the best-selling car in its class. Walter Röhrl with co-driver Christian Geistdörfer, driving the Ascona 400, won the Monte Carlo and Rally World Championship.
1983 - Vehicle with the number 20,000,000 leaves the production line. This was a senator.
1984 - The Kadett E model is introduced. The GSi version is the most aerodynamic model in its class in the world. Opel Kadett was chosen the car of the year by an international jury.
1985 - Opel becomes the first German company to include a catalytic converter on each model.
1986 - Opel Omega is making its debut.
1987 - Opel celebrates its 125th anniversary. Senator B is presented to the public.
1988 - Opel Vectra introduced. The middle class model, available with 2 body models, is immediately the best-selling car. The Vectra is characterized by a dynamic design and driving comfort combined with an advanced technology chassis. An all-wheel drive version is also available.
1989 - Opel Calibra launched. The 25 millionth Opel Opel leaves the production line.
1990 - Opel becomes the first company to implement a recycling system for plastics. This reflects the company's commitment to environmental technologies.
1991 - Kadett's production, which takes the place of Opel Astra, is over. This new model
1994 - A new generation of Omega is introduced to the market. The Opel Tigra, a sports coupe, is presented.
1995 - Opel Introduces Vectra B. Opel introduces for the first time on all airbags models for both the driver and the right passenger. The new Vectra was equipped with a pedal lock system and a hybrid airbag.
1996 - Opel becomes the first company to combine the advantages of 4-valve technology with direct injection and turbocharging on a diesel engine. The production of the Cadillac Catera, based on Omega, begins in Rüsselsheim. Manuel Reuter wins the International Touring Car (ITC) with a Opel Calibra.
1997 - Opel launches Mobility Initiative, a navigation system for the Omega and Vectra models. For the first time, a Europeana car is equipped with a 3-cylinder 12-valve engine, a Opel Corsa. With Opel Arena, the German manufacturer enters the market segment of commercial vehicles.
1998 - A new corporation is set up in Rüsselsheim: The Adam Opel building is inaugurated by German Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl.
The expansion continues in the commercial sector with the Movano. The new Astra goes into production. Monterey and Frontera off-road vehicles appear under a new design. The Vectra model car comes out on the market with 1,000,000 cars. Opel opens a new headquarters in Glowice, Poland.
1999 - Opel marks a century of excellence in automobiles. The 50,000,000 machine leaves the assembly plant, an Omega. Along with the Zafira, Opel is launching a new class for compact cars.
2000 - Agila started production, which was the first micro-van from Germany, a perfect vehicle for the city. Agila's key to success was maximizing the use of available space combined with engine efficiency. Opel introduces the Zafira concept, which was propelled by an electric motor. There is a new 2.2-liter engine that generates 147 horsepower. Astra Coupe is making his debut. There is a version of Zafira that was propelled with natural gas.
2001 - The third-generation of the world's best-selling car, an update to Opel Corsa, continues the success story. Opel Speedster, the second generation of Astra Cabrio and Vivaro, appears. Opel has the fastest European monopole, the Zafira OPC, and also the Zafira CNG. The Astra Coupe X-treme is also presented in Geneva. The Zafira HydroGen 1, with electric motor, sets 15 international records.
2002 - Opel sets new slogan: Opel. Fresh Thinking for Better Cars (Opel, Fresh Thinking for Better Cars). German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder inaugurates the most advanced car manufacturing factory in Rüsselsheim. The new Vectra comes out on the market.
2003 - Opel Speedster Turbo and Opel Astra combi 1.6 CNG are introduced to the German market. Opel Signum and Meriva are presented together in Germany. Opel opens a new test center in Pferdsfeld. At the factory in Rüsselsheim, the new CDTI diesel engine and the TWINPORT fuel reduction technology for petrol engines are built. Testing the new Zafira HydroGen3 with electric motor on the streets of Tokyo and Washington.
Opel ECO Speedster sets 17 international records. Presented at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, the third generation Opel Astra as well as the Opel Vectra combi and the Insignia sedan.
2004 - Opel Tigra TwinTop and Astra combi are introduced to the market. The Astra GTC is presented at the Paris Motor Show. Until this date, Opel has produced at least 60,000,000 vehicles.
2005 - The Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) appears to be the best-selling car with such an engine. World premiere at Astra OPC and Zafira OPC at the Geneva Motor Show. Start production of the new Zafira at the Bochum headquarters, which was rated 5-star in the EURO NCAP safety test. Journalists from over 26 countries have qualified the 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC engine as the engine of 2005 in engines between 1.0 and 1.4 L. The enhanced versions of Vectra and Signum are on the market. World premiere for the sporty and stylish new Astra TwinTurbo Cabrio coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along with the Antara SUV concept, the Vectra OPC and the new Zafira CNG. A reconditioned version of the Meriva is presented at the Bologna Motor Show. The OPC version is presented for the first time at the Essen Motor Show.
2006 - Astrei GTC's production with panoramic vision begins, the windshield stretching to almost half the roof. The new Opel GT is being presented at the Geneva Motor Show. This sports car, also known as roadster, continues the history of the legendary GT in 1960. General Motors opens a new design center in Rüsselsheim. The new versions of Vivaro and Movano come into production. The world premiere of the fourth generation of Corsa at the British International Motor Show in London, Serial Production begins in Eisenach and Zaragoza. The new Corsa receives 5 stars in the Euro NCAP Passenger Safety Resistance Test. The first series of productions
2007 - The new Astra is launched with new engines, improved technology and a new design. At the OPC Race Camp race were selected from a total of 18,500 candidates, only 10 are selected to take part in the 24-hour race in Nürburgring in 2008.The GTC concept has a new progressive design, and is presented at the Geneva Motor Show. For the world premiere, the Corsa OPC is presented with a 1.6L engine producing 192 hp. The 150 Corsa GSi is presented at the Barcelona Motor Show.
Opel presents the Flextreme model at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt. It combines an electric motor that receives battery power with a combustion engine that charges the batteries. Also the Corsa CDTI ecoFLEX is presented in Frankfurt, equipped with a diesel engine emitting 119 grams of CO2 / km, with an average consumption of only 4.5 L at 100 Km. Corsa is the best-selling small car in Germany